JoJo Opens Up About 'Inspiring' Costar Robin Williams and Her Close Friendship with His Daughter Zelda

Since playing Robin Williams‘ daughter a decade ago, JoJo has become close with the actor’s family offscreen.

The singer and Williams starred in the dysfunctional family road trip comedy RV in 2006, and JoJo got to know the Oscar winner, his wife Marsha (they divorced in 2008) and their daughter Zelda before Williams committed suicide in 2014.

“His intelligence, his worldliness and his work ethic are what really touched me — and his ability to care for people of all walks of life was just very inspiring,” the 25-year-old singer tells PEOPLE. “The way that he made everybody feel special and the way that he showed up and gave 110 percent every single time: I want to be like that. I want to leave that type of impression on people.”

Atlantic Records

Atlantic Records

JoJo says the beloved comic passed those qualities on to his daughter.

“Zelda has that spirit as well,” she says. “She’s such a remarkable woman.”

“I love that family so much, and their strength inspires me,” she says. “They’ve overcome so much, even excluding Robin passing.”

Last week, Zelda shared her love for JoJo in a heartfelt Instagram post.

“We met as teens at the RV premier, and a little piece of my heart…has been tied to you every since. You will always be one of my favorite humans, one of my favorite women, and one of my favorite artists on this tiny blue marble we call home,” Zelda, 27, wrote. “I’m so lucky to have called you a friend since your last album 10 years ago, and I’ll still be right here with you thru the next 10 albums too…I’m so incredibly proud and so happy for you!”

For more on JoJo and her new album Mad Love, pick up the new issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands everywhere Friday.